CH712313A1 - Method for sending registered mail. - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for sending registered mailpieces, a plurality of addressed mailpieces (2) of a sender or multiple senders are accepted for transmission as registered mail. An image of each of the plurality of addressed mailpieces is captured, the image each including the address of the mailpiece. The image is assigned to a unique identification of the respective mail item (2). A list (50) as a registration slip is generated, wherein the list (50) for each of the mailpieces (2) comprises the unique identification and an address information obtained from the image. The unique identifications are transmitted to a database (60). The list (50) is transmitted to the sender (s) (1), the list (50) comprising at least one tracking number. An interface (80) to the database (60) is provided, by means of which a shipping status of at least one of the mailpieces (2 ') can be queried on the basis of the at least one tracking number, and the mail items are sent to the addressees.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for sending registered mail as well as to a system for detecting a plurality of addressed mailpieces of a sender or multiple senders for dispatch as registered mailpieces.

Background Art Mail and parcel post mail may be sent by registered mail (registered mail, recommande). This shipping method is accompanied by the issue of a delivery and / or delivery proof for the sender. As a rule, the sender receives a document for the task of mailing, the mailpiece is provided with a unique identification (for example an identification number) and the delivery of the mail item to the recipient takes place only against the signature of the recipient.

Variants are "registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt", in which the sender receives a signed by the receiving person Zustellbeleg. It is also known to track the shipping process of the mailing and to send the sender, the recipient and / or third parties information about the status of the mailing (tracking, so-called. Track and Trace). However, this service is basically independent of the shipment as a registered letter.

Individual mail items that are to be sent as registered mail are usually given at the post office counter. The counter staff issues the order slip, carries out the necessary data entry and forwards the item of mail into the actual shipping process. The mailing of the mail item takes place within the scope of the task at the post office counter, in franking centers of the postal service provider or previously by the sender.

There are methods and devices have been proposed that allow an automated task of registered broadcasts.

For example, EP 0 701 227 B1 (Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co KG) describes a method for producing a document about the delivery of an article, in which the article is first received in a container which holds the article accessible to the user Consignee temporarily withdraws. Subsequently, a video recording or photograph of the object is taken, the information provided for the creation of the document is then displayed on a screen. After release by the issuing person, the document is generated, this together with a delivery number u. a. includes a title block, which has been generated from the video recording or photography. Finally, the item is handed over to the shipping process. The franking including payment of the registration fee can also be made within the scope of the submission process. The collected data can be further processed in data processing equipment, e.g. for creating lists or statistics.

Both the task at the post office counter and the task on an automatic machine as described in EP 0 701 227 B1 are suitable for large mail volumes, e.g. Transit operations of large companies with a large number of registered postal items, unsuitable. Today, such a shipment typically takes place in that the sender transfers the postal items to be sent as registered mail (letters and / or parcels) to a corresponding point of the postal service provider, where these are then prepared and handed over to the shipping process. In addition to the postal items, the sender hands over to the postal service provider a prepared list on which the items are listed with the corresponding recipients. The preparation by the postal service provider involves the assignment of a unique identification, e.g. an identification number, which is attached as such and in machine-readable form (e.g., as a bar code) to the mailpiece. The same identification is then also noted on the list noted by the sender. The list is finally acknowledged by the postal service provider and sent to the sender.

The process is complicated and labor-intensive and requires additional preparation steps for registered mail from the sender, namely the preparation of the prepared list.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a method for the dispatch of registered mail which belongs to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which enables a rational dispatch of a multiplicity of registered mailpieces and minimizes the expenditure on the part of the sender.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: a) accepting a plurality of addressed mailpieces of a sender or multiple senders for shipping as registered mail; b) capturing an image of each of the plurality of addressed mailpieces, the image each including the address of the mailpiece; c) assigning the image to a unique identification of the respective mailpiece; d) generating a list as a registration slip, the list comprising, for each of the mailpieces, the unique identification and address information extracted from the image; e) transmitting the unique identifications of the mailpieces to a database; f) transmitting the list to the sender or senders, the list comprising at least one tracking number; g) providing an interface to the database, by means of which a shipping status of at least one of the mailpieces can be queried on the basis of the at least one tracking number; and h) sending the mail to the addressees.

The capture of the image can be done by known means, for example by CCD or CMOS based video or photo cameras or scanners based on a different technology. In particular, first of all the entire mail item is recorded, if necessary also from several pages (front and back side of letter mail, one or more pages in parcel post mailings). It is also possible to capture only parts of the mail item at all if information about the location of the address is available.

The unambiguous identification of the mail item is in particular an identification number. It can also be an alphanumeric string. Identification is considered to be "unique" if the likelihood of receiving the same number from two postal items that need to be differentiated in the system is extremely low, for example less than 0.01%. This can be achieved, for example, by having a number unique during a minimum period (e.g., 90 or 180 days); the same number will be awarded again after the end of this period. An unambiguous identification thus results if, in fact, each mail item is uniquely assigned a number (or a different type of identification), ie each identification is used only once, but also if the identification is randomly selected or generated from an entirety , which is sufficiently large that the predetermined probability of two assignments to the same identification is exceeded.

The same essentially also applies to the tracking number. Here, too, it does not have to be a "number" in the narrower sense, but ultimately a label that allows the clear identification.

As a "registered letter" or "registered mail" here are generally understood postal items, to which the sender receives a task slip (»Einschreibebeleg»), comprising a list of recipients, and their delivery is monitored or documented by the postal service provider - regardless of the Term used by the service provider for the shipping method. In Switzerland, for example, in addition to the actual "registered" (with delivery only against signature), the "A Post Plus" delivery method (with delivery in the mailbox) is also covered by this definition.

The inventive method allows a largely automated processing of a plurality of addressed mailings of a sender or multiple senders and does not require the preparation of a list by the sender or the sender - this can rather due to the optically detected or already generated in the processing process information automatically created by the postal service provider. The sender therefore need not deliver accompanying documents or forms in addition to the postal items to be sent.

The inventive method also allows easy integration of the tracking in the processing of registered mail and this both on the part of the postal service provider and the sender: The sender get with their enrollment at the same time also information that enable them tracking the need for postal service an additional acquisition process.

Accordingly, a system for detecting a plurality of addressed mailpieces of a sender or multiple senders for sending as registered mailpieces may comprise: a) an image capture device for acquiring an image of each of the plurality of addressed mailpieces, the image each including the address of the mailpiece ; b) processing means for assigning the image to a unique identification of the respective mailpiece and for generating a list as a registration slip, the list for each of the mailpieces comprising the unique identification and an address information obtained from the image; c) a database for storing the unique identifications of the mailpieces; d) a mailer for transmitting the list to the sender or senders, the list comprising at least one tracking number; and e) an interface connected to the database, by means of which a shipping status of one of the mailpieces can be queried on the basis of the at least one tracking number.

Advantageously, a shipping status of the mailpiece is initialized on receipt of the unique identification on the database. For example, the shipping status is set to "accepted". This eliminates the need for separate tracking for shipment tracking purposes, and shipping status is available as early as possible.

Advantageously, a tracking number is given for each of the mail items listed on the list. The sender can then use his list in a simple way to selectively check the shipping status of a particular shipment.

Alternatively, the tracking number leads to a list of shipping status of all mail items listed on the list or to a selection that allows the selection of the desired mail piece.

Preferably, the tracking number matches the unique identifier. A confusion of the various unique identifiers is thereby avoided and the effort to generate a second unique identifier deleted. It is therefore advantageous if, for the unambiguous identification, a format is selected which is well suited for use as a tracking number.

Alternatively, another identification is used for the shipment tracking. This is especially useful if compatibility with an existing system needs to be established.

Advantageously, the transmission of the list to the sender or the sender takes place electronically, especially as an e-mail. The list can be part of the e-mail body or sent as an attachment (for example, in PDF, rtf, xlsx or docx format). Also, the simultaneous shipping in different formats or at the same time in the body and as an attachment is possible. In addition to e-mail, other electronic shipping methods are available, e.g. over protocols like SOAP. Shipping can be done according to the push and / or pull model.

Also, non-electronic shipping, e.g. by mail, is an option. The tracking number can then be typed in by the recipient or in a machine-readable form, e.g. encoded as a bar or QR code on the sent list.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tracking number on the list as html link before, which is prompted by selection of the link, the interface for displaying the shipping status of the corresponding mailing. The shipment tracking is thereby maximally simplified for the sender. The html link can - as known per se-be deposited directly identifiable identification, so need not be directly visible on the list.

After capturing the image, a franking of the respective mail item can take place within the scope of the method according to the invention. The costs are, for example, automatically debited to an account of the sender, possibly together with costs for issuing the registration slip. The franking can be applied simultaneously with the identification on the mailpiece.

Accordingly, the inventive system may comprise a franking device for generating franking information, wherein the printing device provides the mailpieces with the franking information.

Alternatively, the franking takes place independently of the acceptance of the postal consignment to be sent as registered mail. It may also be done prior to handover to the postal service provider, e.g. by means of a franking machine positioned at the sender. The franking may also include the assignment of the unique identification. This is then obtained together with the address information from the captured image and assigned to the address.

Preferably, the address information is extracted from the image, wherein the address information is taken as obtained from the image information on the list. For this purpose, for example, first the area occupied by the recipient address is identified on the mailpiece and then the image is cut to this area. The image can also be edited using standard image processing techniques (e.g., grayscale, black-and-white, sharpening, contrast adjustment, etc.).

The address information can be converted by text recognition into text information.

Alternatively, no extraction takes place and the captured image or captured images are integrated into the list.

The address information can be manually validated and corrected as needed. Manual validation can be done on each mailing, especially at the request of the sender, or only if an upstream automated assessment step indicates the need for such validation. The rating step may, for example, match the recipient address with an address directory or qualitatively evaluate the underlying image data.

Instead of or in addition to manual validation and correction, an automated validation and / or correction can be made, again based for example on an address directory.

Advantageously, the mailpieces are provided with a machine-readable imprint, in particular a barcode, which codes the unique identification. This simplifies the automated processing of the mailpieces in the subsequent shipping process.

Accordingly, the system advantageously comprises a printing device for printing the mailpieces with a machine-readable imprint, in particular a barcode, which codes the unique identification.

In a preferred variant of the system according to the invention, the image capture device, the franking device and the printing device are received in the same processing station, wherein the printing device is arranged downstream of the image capture device in the direction of work flow. The functionality according to the invention can thus be realized essentially without additional expenditure of time or space.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims, there are further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for the dispatch of registered mailpieces;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention for sending registered mailpieces; FIG. and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a processing device of a system according to the invention.

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for sending registered mailpieces. A sender 1 gives a processing service provider a plurality of addressed mailpieces 2, e.g. Letters. Among them are at least a few items to be sent as registered mail. The individual mail items 2 are then first supplied to an image acquisition unit, a scanner 10. This scans the mail items 2 both on their front and on their back, d. H. he takes appropriate images and passes the corresponding data to a processing device, a server 40, on. The scanner 10 uses conventional, commercially available technology, for example it has CCD sensors.

The mail items 2 pass after the scanner 10, a printing device 20. This also uses known technology. It is able to produce an imprint on the front of the mail piece 2. The printing device 20 is coupled to a franking module 25 and receives from it franking data. The server 40 receives identification information. Based on the franking data and the identification information, a machine-readable digital representation is generated, e.g. a barcode or a 2D matrix code. This is then printed by the printing device 20 on the mailpiece. The correspondingly printed mailpieces 2 'then arrive in the usual shipping process of the processing service provider.

In the illustrated system, the scanner 10, the printing device 20 and the franking module 25 are part of a franking station 30, i. H. arranged in a common housing, so that the processed mail can quickly and automatically first pass through the scanner 10 and immediately following the printing device 20. For this purpose, the franking station 30 also comprises elements for the automatic handling of the mailpieces, e.g. a first device for transporting the individual mail items from a stack, transport devices for passing through the scanner 10 and the printing device 20 and devices for further transport following the printing. Corresponding machines are basically available on the market, the scanner is used in their framework for capturing internal barcodes of the sender, in particular in order to assign the frankings to different cost centers of the sender can.

The server 40 processes the obtained information as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. On the one hand, it generates a list 50, which includes the following information: date-list number (optional) -information for the processing station (optional) -an entry for each mail item of the sender.

This entry is structured, for example, as follows:

Shipment number receiver product

984190181667000000 registered mail registered mail CH

Mr

Hans Muster Musterweg 1a 8000 Zurich [0045] The mailing number is unambiguously assigned to the mailpiece. Depending on the sender's request, the list is generated in PDF or Excel format; the tracking number is linked to an html link which points to a URL. For example, for the entry shown above, the URL is: http://www.post.ch/swisspost-tracking?formattedParcelCodes=984190181667000000;&p_language=en.

The list 50 is attached to an e-mail and sent by a shipping module 51 to a known e-mail address of the sender 1. The list may comprise the mailpieces of a single processed batch, or the information on consignments of a certain period of time, e.g. one day, will be collected, and the list will be generated and shipped after the end of the period.

The sender information is respectively acquired by an operator prior to the processing of a batch, or it is automatically determined, e.g. on the basis of the captured image information of the mailpieces or on the basis of an information sheet which is fed into the system for processing instead of the first mailpiece.

The server 40 stores data in a database 60 in parallel to each mail item, namely, the item number (as identification information), the recipient address, and a shipping status. As the mailpieces 2 'are sent to the shipping process subsequent to processing by the metering station 30, the shipping status is set to a fixed value (e.g., "accepted").

The shipping status stored in the database 60 is updated as needed via a tracking module 70, which receives information from the shipping process. In addition to the actual status (for example, "accepted", "in delivery", "delivered", "rejected", "delivery attempt unsuccessful", etc.), the shipping status may include further information, for example the last recorded location of the item of mail. The tracking module 70 functions as part of a track-and-trace system of the processing service provider in a conventional manner.

An interface 80 allows access to the database 60. In particular, can be accessed using a URL with a predetermined format on the shipping information of a mailing. By clicking on the above URL link in the PDF list 50, the sender 1 arrives directly to the shipping information of the corresponding mail item (here with the item number 984190181667000000). The interface 80 is thus configured here as a web server, which permits queries to the database 60 in which the individual entries are accessed on the basis of the item number.

The web server can offer further request options, for example via a mask of a web portal or by means of defined data interfaces (for example on the basis of SOAP).

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention for sending registered mailpieces. This corresponds in many ways to the first embodiment. The essential difference is that the sender 101 already franks the mailpieces 102 and provides them with a machine-readable identification number (mailing number) to the processing service provider.

Again, among the delivered mail items 102 are at least some items to be sent as registered mail. The individual mailpieces 102 are then first supplied to an image acquisition unit, a scanner 110. This scans the mail pieces 102 both on their front and on their back, d. H. he takes corresponding images and passes the corresponding data to a processing device, a server 140, on. The scanner 110 uses conventional, commercially available technology, for example, it has CCD sensors.

In addition to the receiver address, the server 140 extracts, in particular, the transmission number from the images captured by the scanner 110, which u. a. map the machine-readable information. The mail items 102 then arrive in the usual shipping process of the processing service provider. The server 140 also generates a list 150. It corresponds to the list 50 described in connection with FIG.

The list 150 is attached to an e-mail and sent by a shipping module 151 to a known e-mail address of the sender 101. The list 150 may comprise the mailpieces of a single processed batch, or the information on programs of a certain period of time, e.g. one day, will be collected, and the list 150 will be generated and shipped after the end of the period.

The server 140 stores data in a database 160 parallel to each mail item, namely, the item number (as identification information), the recipient address, and a shipping status. The shipping status is again set to a fixed value (e.g., "accepted").

The tracking module 170 again functions as part of a track-and-trace system of the processing service provider in a conventional manner, and the stored in the database 160 shipping status is in turn updated via the tracking module 170, if necessary.

An interface 180 allows access to the database 160. Namely, the shipping information of a mailing can be accessed by means of a URL with a predetermined format. By clicking the URL link in the PDF list 150, the sender 101 directly arrives at the shipping information of the corresponding mail piece. The interface 180 is thus configured here as a web server, which permits queries to the database 160 in which the individual entries are accessed on the basis of the item number.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a processing device of a system according to the invention. The server 40 of the system according to the first embodiment will be described. The server 140 of the system according to the second embodiment operates analogously, with certain modules not being needed or having other or additional functionalities. The individual modules described below may be separated from each other in terms of hardware, but are in particular software modules that run on a conventional server computer (or several server computers coupled to one another).

The server 40 includes an image processing module 41 which receives and processes the image data generated by the scanner. In particular, the image sections of interest are identified and the corresponding image data prepared for further processing. For example, by means of image processing algorithms known per se, alignment, trimming, denoising, color, brightness and / or contrast adaptation or sharpening are carried out. The edited image data is then passed to an OCR module 42, which recognizes texts and converts them into digital data.

In particular, the recipient address is thus obtained from the image data for further processing. It is then forwarded to a quality control module 43.

The quality control module 43 checks the quality of the recipient's address. This check can be made on the basis of various criteria, for example, the quality of the underlying image data can be examined, or the recipient address can be compared with a database of recipient addresses. It is also possible - in general or if certain conditions apply - for manual control. In this case, the detected receiver address and the underlying image data are transmitted to a manual control module 44. An operator checks the recipient's address and makes corrections if necessary. The corrected recipient address is then returned to the quality control module 43.

In certain cases, the correct recipient address can not be determined from the scanned image data, in which case a manual re-scanning or a manual individual recording can take place.

The resulting recipient address is finally output (and stored in the database) and transmitted to a module 45 for generating the list.

The server 40 further comprises a module 46 for generating identification information, namely for generating unique transmission numbers. These are also output, on the one hand for the storage in the database, on the other hand for the printing of the mail items, and transmitted to the module 45 for generating the list.

Further, the server 40 includes a status module 47 for generating status information. These are also output for storage in the database.

In a processing device of a system according to the invention according to the second embodiment, the OCR module 42 is additionally preceded by a detection module which stores the machine-readable identification number (transmission number), e.g. in the format of a 128-bit barcode (1D) and convert it into the encoded data.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. In particular, the required functionalities can be provided in other ways by software and / or hardware modules. For example, the identification information can be generated by the franking module or kept there and transmitted to the server for further processing.

Further functions are possible. Thus, the collected data - based on the database for storing the shipping information or another database - can be evaluated customer-specifically. The sender can access these evaluations via the interface, or they are sent to him by other means - again, for example, as an e-mail attachment.

The acquired information can also be passed on to other systems of the processing service provider or by third parties.

The OCR conversion of the detected addresses is not mandatory. Thus, on the list for the sender, those areas of the captured images that comprise the recipient address can be depicted.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention provides a method for sending registered mail, which allows a rational shipment of a large number of registered mail items of one or more senders and minimizes the effort on the part of the sender.

Claims (15)

claims A method of shipping registered mail, comprising the steps of: a) accepting a plurality of addressed mailings of a sender or multiple senders for shipping by registered mail; b) capturing an image of each of the plurality of addressed mailpieces, the image each including the address of the mailpiece; c) assigning the image to a unique identification of the respective mailpiece; d) generating a list as a registration slip, the list comprising, for each of the mailpieces, the unique identification and address information extracted from the image; e) transmitting the unique identifications of the mailpieces to a database; f) transmitting the list to the sender or senders, the list comprising at least one tracking number; g) providing an interface to the database, by means of which a shipping status of at least one of the mailpieces can be queried on the basis of the at least one tracking number; and h) sending the mail to the addressees. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that on the database a shipping status of the mailpiece is initialized upon receipt of the unique identification. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a tracking number is specified for each of the mail items listed on the list. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the tracking number matches the unique identification. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transmission of the list to the sender or the sender takes place electronically, in particular by e-mail. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one tracking number is present on the list as html link, wherein by selecting the link, the interface for displaying the shipping status of the corresponding mail piece is caused. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that after the capture of the image, a franking of the respective mail item takes place. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the address information is extracted from the image, wherein the address information is taken as obtained from the image information on the list. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the address information is converted by text recognition into text information. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the address information is manually validated and corrected as needed. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mailpieces are provided with a machine-readable imprint, in particular a barcode, which encodes the unique identification. 12. A system for detecting a plurality of addressed mailpieces of a sender or multiple senders for sending as registered mailings, comprising: a) an image capture device for capturing an image of each of the plurality of addressed mailpieces, the image each comprising the address of the mailpiece; b) processing means for assigning the image to a unique identification of the respective mailpiece and for generating a list as a registration slip, the list for each of the mailpieces comprising the unique identification and an address information obtained from the image; c) a database for storing the unique identifications of the mailpieces; d) a mailer for transmitting the list to the sender or senders, the list comprising at least one tracking number; and e) an interface connected to the database, by means of which a shipping status of one of the mailpieces can be queried on the basis of the at least one tracking number. 13. System according to claim 12, characterized by a printing device for printing the mailpieces with a machine-readable imprint, in particular a bar code, which encodes the unique identification. 14. System according to claim 13, characterized by a franking device for generating franking information, wherein the printing device provides the mailpieces with the franking information. 15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that the image capture device, the franking device and the printing device are received in the same processing station, wherein the printing device is arranged in the direction of work flow behind the image capture device.